INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A former Indiana Department of Corrections lieutenant has pleaded guilty after being accused of falsifying time records for a subordinate he was in a romantic relationship with. Jacob Kauth, who worked at the Plainfield Correctional Facility, was charged in May 2025 with official misconduct, fraud, and conspiracy to commit theft. According to investigators, Kauth approved or submitted false time records for the employee, who also lived with him. The scheme involved more than 98 falsified hours and cost the state $3,163.90 in overpayments. A DOC audit uncovered the fraud after it found the employee did not enter the facility on multiple dates and had not submitted proper time slips. Kauth was fired on June 18, 2024. On Aug. 31, 2026, the Hendricks County prosecutor reached a plea agreement with Kauth. He pleaded guilty to fraud, entered as an alternative misdemeanor. As part of the deal, Kauth must repay the state $3,163.90, attend a theft class, complete 80 hours of community service, and serve one year of probation. “State employees are taxpayer-paid employees – and they are expected and entrusted to serve Hoosiers honestly and responsibly,” said Indiana Inspector General Jared Prentice. “Falsifying time records is a gross violation of that public trust. Our office will continue working with agency partners and prosecutors to hold individuals accountable when criminal activity and misconduct occur. We owe that to the hard-working people of Indiana.” ...read more read less